Love's Wordless Letter Finally Burns to Ashes

The whole Capital knew that my childhood sweetheart, Alfred Pruitt, and I were deeply in love.

He proposed to me on a helicopter, and just as the ring went on my finger, the helicopter suddenly crashed.

I broke both my legs, and he fell into a coma.

Two weeks later, Alfred finally woke up, but he had lost his memory.

The love in his eyes was gone, leaving only cold indifference.

He began chasing a flower girl named Mavis Summers relentlessly.

He bought out the entire flower shop and made Mavis the owner.

He chartered a luxury cruise ship and confessed his love to Mavis out at sea.

He set off fireworks across the whole city for her, introduced her to all his friends, and doted on her so openly that everyone knew.

Everyone told me Alfred had simply lost his memory and was muddled for the moment, and that he'd settle down once we were married.

I believed it, and I put up with it.

Until I overheard him talking with one of his buddies.

"Mr. Pruitt, how long are you planning to keep faking this amnesia? Going to all this trouble just to chase some little sweetheartis it really worth it?"

He gave a laugh.

"What do you know? Vanessa can't stand a speck of grit in her eye. Before I get married, I just want to have a little more fun. Faking amnesia is the best excuse there is."

My eyes burned, and it felt like someone had driven a knife hard into my heart.

This relationshipI gave up on it completely.

Section 1

I drifted back into the living room, my mind in chaos.

The maid wheeled my mother's chair over.

My mother smiled and handed me a catalog, flipping it open eagerly.

"Vanessa, Mom's had her eye on several dresses. Help me pick one out. On your wedding day, I want to dress up nicely too."

It felt like something slammed hard into my heart, and I couldn't breathe.

I badly wanted to tell her I had no desire to get married at all.

That it was all a lie of Alfred's.

But seeing the eager look in my mother's eyes, I squeezed out a smile.

"Sure, let me take a look."

I pointed at a dress at random.

My mother smiled and turned to instruct the maid.

"This one. Go ahead and arrange it."

She held my hand and spoke earnestly.

"Vanessa, Mom knows you're hurting inside. But you and Alfred have been together so many yearsthat foundation is there. He's just confused because of the amnesia. Please don't take it to heart."

"Mom's health is poor, and your father passed away early. All I want is to see you married while I'm still alive."

My eyes stung terribly, and I nodded.

"Okay. I'll prepare for the wedding properly, Mom."

After seeing my mother off, I stood in the empty living room, lost in thought.

This house was the marital home Alfred had prepared back then, bought in my name.

After he "lost his memory," he moved out to a remote area on the outskirts of town to chase Mavis, and rarely came back.

The sky darkened little by little.

Scenes from the past churned through my mind, frame by frame.

Alfred and I grew up together. He said he wanted to marry me, to protect me for the rest of my life.

Three months ago, he proposed to me on a helicopter.

Just as the ring went on, the helicopter crashed.

I broke both my legs, and he was in a coma for two weeks.

The doctor told me there had been a baby in my belly, four months alongand it was gone.

I cried for three whole days.

After Alfred woke up, I wanted to tell him we'd had a child.

But he had amnesia.

He looked at me the way you'd look at a stranger.

"Even though we're engaged and I'll marry you, I don't have any feelings for you right now. You won't stop me from pursuing someone else, will you?"

He chased after Mavis with all the fanfare in the world.

Everyone said he was just muddled because of the amnesia.

But he had lied to me. It was all his lie.

My phone buzzed.

The wedding planner reminded me to come try on the wedding ring.

I dialed Alfred's number, but a woman's voice came through instead.

"Mr. Pruitt is at the amusement park with me!"

The phone was taken over, and a man's low voice came through.

"A little thing like the ringhandle it however you want. I don't have time."

Before I could say a word, the call ended.

I stared at the dark screen, gave a self-mocking little laugh, and drove out.

At the jewelry store, the saleswoman warmly laid out a row of rings.

I took a liking to a plain band with an osmanthus-tree motif.

Suddenly, a sweet, cloying voice came from behind me.

"Alfred, I like that one with the ruby."

Alfred Pruitt agreed without hesitation.

"Then I'll take the one with the ruby."

I clenched my fingers.

"Alfred, I'm picking out our wedding rings."

He raised his hand and gently smoothed back a strand of Mavis's hair.

"Mavis said she wanted to look at rings, so I came."

His tone was flat.

"If Mavis likes it, of course we'll pick the one she likes. Let her wear it for a while, and I'll give it back to you on the wedding day."

"And another thingI don't care what things were like before. Right now you're only my fiance, and you have no right to tell me what to say or do."

I stared straight into his eyes and couldn't stop myself from speaking.

"Alfred, you said you hated mistresses more than anything, that in this life you'd only ever love me. What exactly are you doing right now?"

His eyes flickered for a moment, then went calm again.

"I don't remember."

Mavis's eyes suddenly reddened, her voice full of hurt.

"Alfred, is she calling me a mistress? I know I come from a low background, that Miss Swanson looks down on me. But I have my dignity too..."

Alfred immediately pulled her into his arms and soothed her.

"How could my darling Mavis be a mistress? Don't cry, you're not pretty when you cry."

"Besides this ring, pick out anything else you want, and I'll buy it all for you."

The saleswoman's gaze went back and forth, and when it landed on me it was full of pity and quiet dismay.

My voice was calm, and I gave a mocking smile.

"Well, since the choosing's done, I'll be going."

The moment I turned around, a hand seized my wrist.

"Wait. You haven't apologized to Mavis yet."

I whipped my head back around, staring at Alfred in disbelief.

"Apologize? Why on earth should I apologize to her?"

"Alfred, I'm the one who's supposed to marry you. You're carrying on with her nowif she isn't a mistress, then what is she? What did I say that was wrong?"

Before I finished, a slap came flying at me.

Crack

I staggered a step, my cheek burning like fire.

Alfred lowered his hand, his expression icy.

"Vanessa Swanson, know your place. The engagement is nothing but the thing that ties you and me together."

"Next time you provoke Mavis, it won't be as simple as one slap."

Rage surged up in me. I wanted to shout at him that I wasn't going through with this marriage!

But before I could open my mouth, my phone suddenly rang.

"Miss Swanson, your mother's blood pressure spiked all of a sudden and she passed out. We've just finished stabilizing heryou need to come right away!"

My head buzzed. I turned and ran.

By the time I reached the hospital, my mother was leaning back against the bed, her face pale.

When she saw me, she complained to the nurse beside her.

"Calling Vanessa at this hour of the nightwhat a lot of trouble for nothing..."

I rushed over and grabbed her hand.

"Mom, are you all right?"

She waved a hand.

"It's my old trouble. It won't kill me."

Tears in my eyes, I leaned into her arms.

"Mom, you have to be okay."

She raised her hand and gently stroked my hair.

"Silly girl, Mom's just fine. The hospital just makes a fuss over everything. I'm really okay. You just focus on getting ready for your wedding."

I stayed with her at the hospital all night and didn't head back until the early hours of the morning.

When I pushed open the front gate of the villa, the whole house was blazing with lights.

I froze for a moment, thinking I'd walked into the wrong place.

In the living room, Mavis sat on the sofa, ordering the servants around.

"Hurry, hurry! Throw all these lilies outjust looking at them is bad luck!"

"Achoo"

My lilies, the ones I'd been growing for two years, were being carried out one pot at a time.

And the antique vases I'd collected for years lay shattered all over the floor.

My eyes were full of anger.

"What are you two doing?"

Alfred came out of the kitchen.

He was wearing an apron, carrying a pot of steaming food.

A man who never cooked, and now he looked like a thoughtful, domestic husband.

"I signed Mavis up for an advanced flower-arranging course. She lives too far away, so from now on she'll be staying here."

"Mavis is allergic to pollen, so don't put any flowers in the house anymore."

My nails dug hard into my palms.

"Alfred, this is your and my marital home. You gave her the ring, and now you're letting her live in our home too. What exactly are you trying to do?"

He took off the apron, his brow furrowing.

"She's only staying temporarily. You'll get the ring back."

He glanced at me, a faint distaste in his tone.

"Did I really ever like you before?"

"Neither gentle nor sweet, and so jealous."

I really wanted to just turn and leave.

But the thought of my mother's pale face in the hospital made my feet feel like lead, rooted to the spot.

All I could tell myself was to endure it, just a little longer.

I gritted my teeth and turned to look at Mavis.

"What else do you want?"

Mavis met my gaze with a smile.

"Your bedroom faces south and has such good light. Could I borrow it for a couple of days?"

Alfred nodded, answering for me.

"Then let her have it."

I forced out a faint smile.

"Fine."

Alfred hadn't expected me to agree so readily. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

And so Mavis got her wish and moved into my bedroom.

I left early the next morning, not wanting to see them.

When I came back in the evening, Mavis and Alfred were fooling around in the living room.

The next second, Mavis's eyes suddenly rolled back and she collapsed heavily to the floor.

Her face flushed red, as if someone were choking her, and she struggled to breathe.

"Help... help me..."

Alfred was startled. He rushed over, shoved me aside, and gathered Mavis into his arms.

"Mavis!"

At the hospital, Mavis slowly opened her eyes.

Her face was streaked with tears as she threw herself into Alfred's arms.

"Alfred, I thought I might never see you again..."

Alfred held her and soothed her for a long time.

After a while, he turned his head and glared at me furiously.

"Mavis had an allergic reaction to pollen. You did this, didn't you?"

I frowned.

"What are you talking about? I wasn't at the villa during the day today."

He looked at me coldly.

"Vanessa, you knew perfectly well that Mavis is allergic to pollen, and you still put lilies under her pillow. Do you have any idea that a severe reaction can kill someone?"

"How can your heart be so vicious?"

Mavis leaned against Alfred's chest and tugged at his sleeve.

"It's all right, it's all right, Alfred. Don't blame Vanessa. Women just get jealous. You've been so good to me, of course she's upset..."

Alfred looked down at her, his voice softening.

"Mavis, she almost took your life just now."

Mavis shook her head gently.

"Alfred, I'm happy just being by your side. As for everything else, I can bear it."

A bitter ache spread through my chest.

"Alfred, you said you'd always trust me."

He cut me off, his tone cold and hard.

"Enough. Shut up."

Then he turned and called in his lawyer.

"Vanessa, my lawyer says that before I lost my memory, I transferred eighty percent of my assets into your name."

"Honestly, now I don't think you deserve it."

His fingers were laced tightly with Mavis's, like a real couple.

"I want those assets back. I'm giving them to Mavis."

I stood there, as if struck by lightning.

Until now, I'd kept comforting myself.

Alfred just wanted to toy with me. The amnesia was an excuse he'd made up.

But now, that little bit of self-deception shattered completely.

I realized with perfect clarity that he no longer loved me. Whether he had amnesia or not, he didn't love me anymore.

He had overturned every promise he'd ever made, and now he was even transferring the money he'd given me to another woman.

All that was left in my heart was a bleak desolation.

In that instant, I made up my mind.

I would not register the marriage with him.

Once my mother's condition stabilized, I would take her and leave this place.

"Whatever you say." My voice was hoarse. "I'm tired. I'm going home."

Mavis suddenly spoke up.

"Alfred, she's leaving without even saying sorry."

Alfred said gently to her,

"How do you want her to apologize?"

Mavis lowered her head, timidly.

"Really? I can? Then... I want her to kneel and grovel to me three times. After all, I almost died."

Alfred didn't hesitate for a moment as he looked at me.

"Kneel and grovel to Mavis, and we'll drop this."

I took a deep breath and said nothing.

I walked slowly to Mavis's hospital bed and knelt down.

Once, twice, three times.

Each one landed with all my strength, my forehead striking the floor with a piercing thud.

Alfred's brow furrowed, and something stabbed at his heart.

"Enough," he said. "You can go now. Don't bother Mavis and me."

I stood up, turned, and walked out.

For the next few days, I seemed to fall into a kind of numbness.

I wasn't hurt anymore, wasn't grieving anymore. I just waited quietly for the wedding to come.

Now and then Mavis came looking to pick a fight, but I never argued with her about anything again.

What was there to argue about?

I'd already decided to give it all up anyway.

On the wedding day, the makeup artist was doing my makeup.

I looked at myself in the mirror in the wedding dress, feeling not the slightest anticipation or excitement.

Once your heart goes cold, you see through everything.

The dressing room door was pushed open.

Mavis walked in, a smile at the corner of her lips.

I looked at her, and a wave of unease rose in me.

"What do you want?"

She tilted her head.

"You look like you're really afraid of me."

I lifted my eyes to her.

"Mavis, I've given you everything you wanted. Aren't you satisfied yet?"

The corners of her lips curved up.

"No. There's still something I haven't been given."

I looked at her, irritated.

"What exactly do you want?"

She didn't answer. She took out her phone and dialed a number.

"Alfred, I saw Miss Swanson in her wedding dress. She looks so beautiful."

The voice on the other end was doting.

"Silly girl, it's just a wedding dress."

Mavis's voice suddenly took on a sob.

"Alfred, what if one day I suddenly die from an allergic reaction, and I die before I ever get to wear a wedding dress? That would be such a shame..."

There was three seconds of silence on the other end.

"Put me on speaker."

Mavis switched on the speaker.

"Vanessa, give the wedding dress to Mavis. Let her have the wedding. I'll hold one with you next time."

"I'll have the wedding planner change the details."

Mavis covered her mouth in delight, unable to hide the smugness in her eyes.

I went ice cold all over.

It was like someone had poured a bucket of ice water over my head, chilling me from head to toe.

I took out my own phone and called Alfred.

Time after time, he hung up.

Alfred sent a message.

"Vanessa, we're engaged anyway, so the wedding is only a matter of time. Just give way to Mavis this once."

I stared at that line, my chest aching.

He wanted me to hand my wedding to another woman. Did he not realize how big a laughingstock I'd be after today?

Mavis folded her arms and looked at me.

"Miss Swanson, take it off."

I took a few deep breaths and, with trembling fingers, unzipped the wedding dress.

The instant the dress came off, the dressing room door was suddenly pushed open.

Several male staff members barged in carelessly, their voices loud.

"Miss Summers, where do you want these ceramic ornaments you asked for?"

I screamed and shrank under the table, hugging myself tightly.

"Get out! Get them out of here!"

Mavis glanced down at me, the corners of her mouth curving.

"Put them wherever."

After those men left, I gritted my teeth and crawled out from under the table.

"You did that on purpose!"

She looked at me with a mocking expression.

"That's right, I did it on purpose. So what?"

Mavis put on my wedding dress and walked out the door with her chin held high.

The lights dimmed, and some people recognized Mavis and began to whisper.

Bent low, pressed against the wall, I made my way to my mother's side.

She stared at me in shock, then at the stage, her voice shaking.

"Vanessa, who's that woman up there? What's going on?"

I said softly,

"Mom, come out first. I'll explain."

Her voice cracked with panic.

"Why isn't the bride you? What on earth happened?"

I tried to soothe her.

"Don't worry, it's because..."

Before I could finish, the big screen behind us suddenly lit up.

The screen was playing the footage from the dressing room just now.

I'd taken off the wedding dress, not a stitch on me.

Several men suddenly burst in, and I screamed and shrank under the table, curling into a ball.

The me on the screen looked utterly wretched.

Laughter, gasps, and murmurs blended together from the crowd.

The emcee walked onto the stage.

"Sorry, wrong clip!"

I whipped my head around.

My mother's eyes were shut tight, her face ashen, her whole body slumped against the back of the chair, utterly still.

"Mom!"

A huge blast of music suddenly erupted, drowning out every sound I made.

On stage, Mavis and Alfred kissed to the music, drank the toast of the vows, and exchanged rings.

Then even more pumping music started up, and people on and off the stage began playing games, the whole place buzzing.

No one noticed my cries for help.

I held up my unconscious mother and made for the exit.

At the end of the corridor, I laid her down gently.

I put my finger beneath her nose.

My mom wasn't breathing.